Peter Facinelli Goes Wonka-Ween

WONKA®, the maker of Nerds®, Laffy Taffy® and SweeTarts® candy, is putting an extraordinarily whimsical spin on Halloween this year. Ahead of October 31, WONKA is turning Halloween into a WONKAfied multi-day celebration – not just one day, not even one month, but “32 Days of WonkaWeen.” Illustrating how Willy Wonka would do Halloween, WonkaWeen will unleash 32 days of imaginative treats in the real world and online from October 1 to November 1.

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To kick off the candy-filled celebration, WONKA today revealed the ultimate WonkaWeen Halloween house, having decorated the home of actor Peter Facinelli, known for playing ‘Carlisle Cullen’ in the “The Twilight Saga” hit movies and ‘Fitch Cooper’ in “Nurse Jackie.” Facinelli is married to actress Jennie Garth; the couple has three daughters, Luca, 14, Lola, 9, and Fiona, 5. Facinelli, set to next appear in the highly anticipated “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1,” today welcomed the Halloween season with his family at their Southern California estate, which was transformed by the pure imagination of WONKA.

“My wife and I grew up with the world of WONKA, and we are so excited to bring this one-of-a-kind, whimsical experience to our daughters this Halloween,” said Facinelli. “WONKA represents wonder, imagination and fun, and our entire family is thrilled Willy Wonka himself chose us for this special makeover at our home.”

Decorations on the Facinelli family home exterior and front yard were unveiled this week, as WONKA turned the sprawling one-story, ranch-style property into a whimsical “spook-tacular” sight. Complete with WONKA candy decorations, lights, fog and scent machines, spider webs, and candy cauldrons, the home’s front yard was taken over by real and larger-than-life SweeTarts®, Nerds®, Everlasting Gobstoppers®, Nerds® Ropes, and more WONKA treats. Exclusive images of the WONKAfied Facinelli family house will be available for viewing online at Facebook.com/Wonka.

Also, during the “32 Days of WonkaWeen,” consumers can enjoy an array of unique Halloween “treats” and opportunities from Willy Wonka, including:

WonkaWeen: Ghost Hunt – A new social gaming experience only on WONKA’s Facebook page, featuring a 32-day adventure where fans can unravel a mystery and collect virtual WONKA candy along the way, such as virtual Nerds®, Laffy Taffy® and SweeTarts®. New clues revealed each day help players solve the game at Facebook.com/Wonka. And through “WonkaWeen: Ghost Hunt,” WONKA is offering two exciting sweepstakes opportunities – a chance to win a “Trick-or-Treating in Tinseltown” family vacation or a Halloween home entertainment system.

Trick-or-Treating in Tinseltown – In the first sweepstakes opportunity, one lucky WONKA fan, along with their family (up to three guests), will win a Halloween-themed vacation to Los Angeles, where they will attend the star-studded 18th Annual Dream Halloween® fundraiser event, and receive four tickets to a Los Angeles-area theme park and admission for four to a Halloween-themed, night-time attraction, no purchase necessary to enter. Full rules and entry at Facebook.com/Wonka.

Halloween Home Entertainment System – The second WonkaWeen sweepstakes will award one lucky WONKA fan a home entertainment room package, valued at $10,000. No purchase necessary to enter. Full rules and entry at Facebook.com/Wonka.

WonkaWeen Candy Exchange – For one day only, in an unbelievable candy offer, consumers 13 or older may exchange unwanted candy (received during Halloween trick-or-treating) for some of their favorite WONKA sugar candies, like Nerds®, Laffy Taffy® and SweeTarts®. The exclusive offer will be available only at select, participating WONKA shops or IT’SUGAR candy stores. Details and limitations will be posted at Facebook.com/Wonka. The first-ever WonkaWeen Candy Exchange takes place nationwide at the conclusion of the “32 Days of WonkaWeen” on Tuesday, November 1.

“We’re thrilled to work with Peter and the entire Facinelli family to illustrate the family fun of WONKA’s world through the ‘32 Days of WonkaWeen,’” said WONKA spokesperson Tricia Bowles of Nestlé USA Confections & Snacks. “Halloween is such a magical time of year for adults and kids alike, and with an entire season of WonkaWeen surprises and fun, WONKA is extending the fun and flavors of Halloween for all.”

The following IT’SUGAR store locations will participate in the WonkaWeen Candy Exchange for one day only on November 1, before school hours from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and after school from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.:

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NEW YORK/LONG ISLAND

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MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina

The Arches at Deer Park

Broadway at the Beach

1438 Arches Circle Deer Park

1211 Celebrity Circle #136

Long Island, NY 11729

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

631-242-6040

843-916-1300

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LOS ANGELES

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SANTA CLARA, Calif.

Universal Citywalk

Valley Fair Mall

1000 Universal Center Dr. #120

2855 Stevens Creek Blvd.

Universal City, CA 91608

Santa Clara, CA 95050

818-506-5184

408-244-3200

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DALLAS

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

Grapevine Mills Mall

Scottsdale Quarter

3000 Grapevine Mills Pkw #513Y

15147 N Scottsdale Road #HI-165

Grapevine, TX 76051

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

972-874-5320

480-443-0342

To see how Willy Wonka designed the Facinelli family home for WonkaWeen, or to find out more on the “32 Days of WonkaWeen,” visit Facebook.com/Wonka or Wonka.com.